amcfarla at mustang.uwo.ca wrote:
>> While I was studying for the 221A exam I came across a phrase that I
> couldn't find a definition for. The phrase was "gene therapy vector".
> I realize what a vector is but I don't understand the purpose of the
> gene therapy type. Please help.
> Thanks, Debbie Fuller
> P.S. IF I DON'T WRITE AGAIN BEFORE THE FINAL 221A EXAM, GOOD LUCK
> EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck on your exam, Debbie!
You know already that a vector is something that carries the item of
interest from one place to another. Well, in gene therapy you want to
deliver a piece of DNA into cells that have an abnormal piece of DNA, in
hopes that the introduced DNA will replace the defective DNA or
compensate for its dysfunction. Viruses are the leading vector in
trials to deliver DNA to cells in gene therapy. The good gene is put
into a virus that can carry it, and the virus infects the cells of the
host. Part of viral replication is release of the genome from the
capsid. At this point, the medical community is hoping the "good" DNA
will replace the "bad" DNA by site specific insertion or something like
it.
That's all there is to it! Gene therapy vector = mailman
mail = good gene
Patti